Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a procedure commonly used in dentistry to help repair or resurface the jawbone. When patients lack teeth, have periodontal disease, or suffer from trauma or congenital defects, this treatment is often used to stimulate bone growth. Bone grafting strengthens the jawbone, allowing individuals to have a solid foundation for dental implants, dentures, or bridges whilst preventing further bone loss. Bone grafting has become one of the fundamental procedures for achieving treatment goals of restoring oral health, improving facial aesthetics, and restoring normal function in patients in modern dentistry. The surgical procedure has become safer and more effective than ever with advancements in biocompatible graft materials and minimally invasive techniques.

There are many reasons why bone grafting is essential in dental procedures:

• Preparing for Dental Implants: If you are planning for dental implants, your jawbone must also be strong enough to support the dental implants. Bone grafting will offer the necessary density and support.
• Preventative Bone Loss: Tooth loss causes the bone around it to shrink over time. A graft helps preserve bone architecture.
• Improving Aesthetics of the Face: Jaw bone loss may contribute to sagging of the facial profile. Cold grafting prevent losing shape of the face.
• Supporting Dentures & Bridges: Dentures and bridges need strong bone support over time to be successful.
• Repair Damage from Gum Disease or Trauma: To repair a severely weakened jawbone from periodontitis or physical trauma, grafting may be necessary for restoration. With insufficient bone volume, implant uses or bridges can also become unsuccessful. With bone grafting, results are lasting, functional, and aesthetic.

Bone grafting is appropriate for someone who:

• Do not have sufficient bone mass for dental implant placement.
• See bone loss from periodontal disease, missing teeth, or injury.
• Need a jawbone reconstruction before placing dentures or bridges.
• Had tooth extraction and wish to preserve bone for future bleach.
• Need reconstruction as a result of the congenital defects, bone deformities.

Patients must speak to an oral surgeon or periodontal specialist to see if they are good candidates for the procedure.

Bone grafts are categorized by their source:

• Autografts – Bone is lost of the patient’s own body (e.g., jaw, hip, or tibia). The success rate of this method was high, but it requires another area to perform the procedure.
• Allografts – Bone that is harvested from a human donor and processed to ensure it is safe for use. That spares her from an additional type of surgery.
• Xenografts – Bone from an animal source (generally bovine). Such grafts integrate well with human bone.
• Alloplasts – Synthetic materials (eg, bioactive glass or hydroxyapatite) are used to induce bone regeneration.

The type of graft material used is determined by the severity of bone loss, as well as patient health and the goals of the procedure.

Bone grafting is a multi-stage process:

• Consultation & Diagnostic Imaging — Using X-rays or CBCT scans, the dentist evaluates the jawbone to see how much volume is present.
• Anesthesia & Incision — Usually, local or general anesthesia is used, and an incision is made in the gum tissue.
• Placement of Bone Graft — The desired grafting material is precisely placed at the afflicted area.
• Membrane and Suturing — A protective membrane may be applied over the graft site before the incision is sutured closed.
• Healing & Bone Integration — The graft fuses to the natural bone over a period of a few months and provides a solid basis for later dental work.

Care after surgery is essential to enable healing and graft integrity.

Bone grafting has many benefits.

• Rebuilds lost bone mass and provides structure for the jaw.
• Prepare the jaw for implants, allowing them to be more successful long-term.
• Prevents any further bone resorption thus keeping the shape of your face intact.
• Improves oral function, assisting in chewing and speaking.
• Lowers the risk of complications from advanced bone loss.

The procedure greatly improves oral health and overall dental results.

• A lasting solution: Unlike temporary fillers, grafts bond with natural bone.
• More predictable for implants: Provides a higher success rate for implant-supported teeth.
• Stops long-lasting damage to bone structure to bring down future dental issues.
• Adding in facial structure to avoid the collapsed bone structure. That is one of the main reasons why bone grafting is one of the most reliable treatments for jawbone loss.

When the graft heals well, it can survive a lifetime with adequate follow-up care. Overall, the bone is healed within 3-6 months depending on the patient’s health, and how they take care of themselves after the surgery.

• Surgery: 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity.
• Recovery time: The recovery time is typically 3-6 month before the implants can be placed.
• Recovery time: 1–2 weeks for initial rest, some swelling/pain.

Bone grafting price in India differs based on place, kind of graft used and clinic reputation:

• Autografts: ₹30,000 - ₹80,000
• Allografts: ₹15,000 - ₹40,000
• Xenografts: ₹10,000 - ₹35,000
• Alloplasts: ₹10,000 - ₹25,000

Potential risks include:

• Infection at the graft site.
• Graft rejection or failure (uncommon).
• Delayed healing in some patients.
• Swelling and mild discomfort following surgery.

With good aftercare, those risks are reduced.

• Long healing time is required before implants can be placed.
• In cases of severe bone loss, can require multiple procedures.
• Is typically a more expensive option than the non-surgical alternatives.

Avoiding them is also not always possible when rebuilding the jawbone, which is why bone grafting is still considered the gold standard.

If a bone graft is not an option, other alternatives include:

• Zygomatic Implants – These are longer implants used in the cheekbone.
• Ridge Expansion – It enlarges the jawbone for implant installation.
• Short Dental Implants – Ideal where there is slight bone loss.

• Take prescribed antibiotics and pain relievers.
• Soft diet — no spicy or hard foods.
• Maintain oral hygiene without disturbing the graft site.
• Apply ice on it to decrease inflammation.
• Stay away from smoking and alcohol, as they can slow healing down.